The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1887-09-17
AN EvENTFUL SUNDAY.
Opening of the Congregational and Meth
odist Churches, and Farewell SER
mon at Christs Church.


Last Sunday was rather an eventual one
in the Ottawa churches-at least, in three OIL
them. The upper room in the FIRST Metho'
dist Church has not been used for the past
two months, on account Of being in the
hands of workmen.
The Congregational Church has been for
the past four weeks without services, owing
to the absence Of the pastor on his VACATION
Both these churches were opened last sun
dav and in the Christ Episcopal Church, the
Rev. n. W. Heermans, haying accepted u
call elsewhere, preached his farewell SER
mon.
AT CBRIsrs CHURCH.
As has been stated before, the Rev. y. W.
Ueermans, for three years Rector OF the
Episcopal Church, of this city, has accepted
a call from Christ's Church, Of Madison, In.
diana. and last Sunday was the last Of his
rectorship in Ottawa. lie sid, in his morn
ing discourse, that his sojourn in Ottawa
had been most pleasant, and the term Of his
work here the most enjoyable. lie read the
resolutions which the Vestry adopted at its
last meeting, and of which they sent him
copy, in reply to his letter Of resignation.
They were as follows:
WHEREAS, The Rev. n W. lleermans has
rendered his resignation as Rector of Christs
Church Parish, Ottawa, Illinois, to enable
him to accept call from a church in the
Diocese Of Indiana, which call, he says, were
he to consider his own interests, ne would
accept without hesitation; therefore,
Resoired, That in our view Of the present
financial condition and prospects Of the par
ish, and the impossbility, In our view, OF
materially increasing its income under exist
ing circumstances, We feel that. much "a we
regret to part with him, it would be unjust
on our part to ask him to decline call
which it is so obviously to his own interest
to accept
Resolved, That while we feel constrained
10 accept the resignation Of the Rev n, W.
Heermans we do so with feelings Of deep
regret, as parting from enc whose gentle
manly, courteous, and truly Christian bear
ing has won the rcspec! and love o! his par
ishioners, and considerations Of his own
temporal advantage alone influence us IN
eonsenting to sever the relation.
Respectfully rendered,
L. G. SWIFT,
Cicrk Of tie IestJy.
The Knights Tcmplar, as n mark Of respect
to the Pastor, attended the services in n
body.
The Rev. Mr.. Ieermans preached his fare.
well sermon from the text, "Give an &c
count of thy stewardship. Luke xvi: =
He began with description of his first com
ing to Ottawa, aud his first sermon in
Christ's Church Parish, and then proceeded
with strict account Of his stewardship as
Rector for the last three years showing by
statistics how the church had prospcred I'M
der his administration the number bap-
tized, the number confirmed, the growth of
the Sunday School, and the amount of money
rai;sed. lie al spoke of the work of the
Women s Auxiliary, tEcJadiss' Aid Society,
the gifts to the church consisting OF The
brass altar cross for the altar, the memoi1'l.
books in memory of Madge Leland, the altar
cloths and hangings for the different seasons
in the churchs year,
He also charged them not to be discour-
aged or disheartened in the least on account
Of his going away. That they were now in
a much better condition than when he found
them. That it would be easier for them now
to get good and earnest man to succeed
him, than 1t was three years ago when he
took charge. In closing the account of his
stewardship, he said
"My work IN Ottawa is ended. have
done my best. | have ever srven to he
faithful to the principles and doctrines of
Christ and His Kingdom. | have tried to
inculcate brotherly love and kindly feelings
one toward another. My work, my thoughts,
my acts have been directed toward the ad
vancement, the prosperity, ana the glory of
your parish church in this city. 1t has not
been for any personal influence that have
ministered here Sunday after Sunday, but
for a cause.-the cause Of simple fifth in
Jesus Christ, our Lord, snd practical right
eousness in obedience to His precepts. IL
was for this end that this noble building was
erected-that it might be for ages to come
constant memorial to passers by that there
is God in Heaven, and that he has n church
upon earth. And, now, let me publicly
thank each one who has in any way assisted
me in my work in this parish, for the many
kndnesses you have shown toward me and
mine, for the forbearance you have exercised
in my many imperfeciions, for your many
expressions Of esteem and good will and for
your substantial aids and helps. assure
you that have not been nnmindful ofthese
things. They have helped me over many u
period of encouragement, when the church S
cause seemed TO drag. For The years to come
| wish you health, prosperity, and happi-
ness; peace ard love in your homes; high
and lofty aims. Farewell